Looking for ways to make work more fun? You’re in the right place!
These employee competition ideas will help your team stay excited, connected, and full of energy.
Whether you’re working from the office or from home, a little friendly contest can bring people together.
It’s not just about winning – it’s about laughing, learning, and building stronger teams. From fun games to brainy challenges, there’s something here for everyone.
The best part? Most of these ideas are easy to set up and don’t need much time or money. Let’s turn boring workdays into something everyone looks forward to!
Ready to boost team spirit? Below are 55 super fun and creative employee competition ideas your team will actually enjoy.
We’ve grouped them into different types – some help you learn, some are just silly fun, and some help your team grow.
Pick a few, try them out, and watch your team light up!
Productivity and Knowledge-Based
These contests help people learn and get more done. From finishing tasks to learning new things, each challenge pushes you to grow.
You can race to clear your inbox or earn a new skill badge.
It’s fun and keeps your brain sharp.
And the best part? You’re becoming better at your job without it feeling like work.
Sales Leaderboard Showdown – Who can close the most deals this week?
This contest is all about closing the most sales. Everyone on the sales team tries to win by making the most deals in a week.
You can keep a scoreboard to show who is in the lead. It’s fun and exciting to see who will come out on top.
The winner could get a small prize or bragging rights. It helps people stay focused and work a little harder every day.
Customer Kudos Challenge – Track who gets the most positive customer feedback.
This challenge rewards team members who get kind words from customers.
Each time a customer gives positive feedback, it’s counted as a point. The more happy customers you have, the better!
It’s a great way to encourage friendly service and good work. You can post the nice comments for everyone to see.
The person with the most “kudos” at the end wins a prize or a shout-out.
Most Tasks Completed – Reward the top task-smasher in your project tool.
Who is the biggest task finisher of the week? This challenge is perfect for teams that use a task or project tool.
You count how many tasks each person finishes. The one with the most completed tasks wins!
It helps people stay focused and get more done. You can track it daily or weekly. Give the winner a reward to say “great job!”
Inbox Zero Sprint – First to clear their inbox wins!
This game is about cleaning up your email inbox.
The goal is to be the first one to reach zero unread or old emails. It’s like a race to get organized!
This helps people respond faster and stay on top of their work. Everyone checks their inbox and clears out old stuff. The winner can get a fun prize or a shout-out.
Efficiency Olympics – Who can complete a task the fastest without sacrificing quality?
Who can do a task the fastest and still do it well? This game tests both speed and quality. Pick a simple work task everyone knows.
Time each person to see how fast they finish. But remember – the task must be done correctly too!
Judges or teammates can check the work. The winner is the person who finishes fast and does a great job.
It’s a fun way to boost skills and teamwork.
Trivia Tuesdays – Weekly trivia battles (themes can change: pop culture, history, company facts).
Every Tuesday, play a trivia game with your team. Ask fun questions about movies, music, history, or even your own company!
You can change the theme each week to keep it fresh.
Everyone answers the questions and earns points. The person or team with the most points wins a prize.
It’s a great way to learn, laugh, and bond with your coworkers.
Guess the Employee – Share baby photos or fun facts—guess who it is!
This game is all about getting to know each other better.
Share a baby photo or a fun fact about someone in the office. Then, everyone tries to guess who it is!
You can play this once a week or during team meetings. It’s fun, silly, and helps people feel more connected. The correct guessers win points or small prizes.
Escape Room Challenge (Virtual or IRL) – Solve puzzles and escape before the clock runs out.
Work together to solve puzzles and escape a “locked” room—either online or in real life. It’s a race against the clock!
You’ll need teamwork, brainpower, and fast thinking. The team that solves all the clues and gets out first wins!
It’s great for building trust and having a good laugh with your coworkers.
Innovation Pitch-Off – Let employees pitch creative ideas to improve workflows.
Have a cool idea to make work easier or better? This contest lets you share it!
Employees take turns pitching (presenting) their best ideas to the team or leaders.
It’s like a mini Shark Tank. Everyone votes on their favorite idea. The winner could get their idea approved, plus a fun reward!
It helps spark new thinking and shows every idea matters.
Company Jeopardy – Custom quiz game with company lingo, history, or policy.
Create a fun quiz game using company facts.
Use Jeopardy-style categories like “Our History,” “Office Rules,” or “Meet the Teams.”
Teams take turns picking a question and trying to answer. It’s a fun way to learn about your company while playing a classic game. The team with the most points wins.
Great for new hires too!
Just-for-Fun Competitions
These games are all about laughing and bonding. Think silly sweaters, meme wars, or guessing who’s who from baby pictures.
No pressure, no points – just good vibes and fun moments with your team.
It’s the kind of stuff that makes workdays feel lighter and friendships stronger.
Ugly Sweater Contest – Around the holidays, obviously.
This one is perfect for the holidays!
Everyone wears the silliest, craziest, or ugliest holiday sweater they can find. The more lights, colors, and weird stuff on it, the better!
Take a group photo or let people vote on their favorite. The winner gets a prize and lots of laughs.
It’s a fun way to celebrate and be silly together.
Best Zoom Background – Bonus if it’s animated or hilariously themed.
Make video calls more fun with this challenge!
Try to find or create the funniest, coolest, or most creative Zoom background. It can be a moving background, a funny photo, or something themed.
Everyone shows off their background during a meeting, and then you vote for the best one. It’s a great way to spice up remote work!
Office Meme War – Share memes all week and vote on the funniest.
All week long, team members share funny memes about work, life, or your office inside jokes.
Post them in a chat group or on a shared board. At the end of the week, vote for the funniest one!
The winner gets meme master bragging rights – or a small gift.
It’s a great way to bring laughs and keep the mood light.
Desk Décor Showdown – Who can pimp their workspace the best?
This contest is all about style and creativity!
Everyone decorates their desk or workspace in a fun way. It can be themed, colorful, or just super organized and cool. Take pictures and let the team vote for their favorite setup.
Whether at home or in the office, it’s a fun way to show off your space and personality.
Impersonate-the-Boss Contest – Just keep it friendly 😄
In this friendly challenge, employees try to copy how the boss talks, acts, or gives speeches – just for fun!
It should be kind, playful, and all in good humor.
You can do impressions during a meeting or record short videos. The team votes on who does it best.
Just make sure the boss is okay with it – and maybe joins the fun too!
Pet Photo Contest – Because who doesn’t want to see fluffy coworkers?
Let’s meet the furry (or scaly or feathery) friends behind the scenes!
Employees share cute or funny photos of their pets. It could be a dog in a sweater, a cat in a box, or even a fish with attitude.
Everyone votes for their favorite pet pic. The winner gets a treat – and maybe so does the pet!
It’s a paw-some way to brighten the day.
Best Work-from-Home Setup – Ergonomic, aesthetic, or chaotic? You decide.
Show off your work-from-home space!
Whether it’s cozy and stylish or wild and messy, share a photo of your desk setup.
People can vote on categories like “Most Organized,” “Coziest Corner,” or “Funniest Setup.”
It’s a fun peek into each other’s worlds—and you might get cool ideas for your own space!
TikTok Dance-Off – Yes, really.
Get ready to move! In this challenge, employees learn a trending TikTok dance (or make up their own) and share a video.
You don’t have to be a pro – it’s all about having fun. Keep it short, silly, and safe. Then vote for the best moves!
Great for laughs and breaking up the workday with some energy.
Lunch Pic Challenge – Snap and share your best midday meal.
What’s everyone eating today?
Snap a photo of your lunch and share it with the team. It can be homemade, takeout, or a snack masterpiece.
Vote for the tastiest, healthiest, or funniest plate. It’s a simple way to connect—and maybe inspire some lunchtime ideas!
Mini Vlog Contest – 1-minute “day in the life” videos from employees.
Record a quick “day in the life” video—just one minute!
Show how your workday looks from start to finish. Coffee? Desk setup? Zoom meetings? A walk outside?
Keep it fun and simple. Then share your mini vlog with the team.
Everyone can vote for the most creative or relatable video. It’s a fun way to learn more about each other.
Creative and Wellness Challenges
Let your brain and body shine!
Whether you’re drawing, dancing, drinking more water, or holding a yoga pose, these contests bring out your best self.
They’re great for relaxing, feeling healthy, and getting creative.
Plus, they’re perfect when you need a break from regular work stuff.
Step Count Showdown – Track steps with an app and crown the mover of the month.
Let’s see who walks the most!
Use a step-tracking app or watch to count your steps each day. At the end of the month, the person with the most steps wins.
You can even share weekly updates to cheer each other on.
It’s a fun way to move more, stay healthy, and maybe even beat your own record!
Water-Drinking Challenge – Stay hydrated and track intake.
Drink up! This challenge is all about staying hydrated.
Each person tracks how many glasses of water they drink each day. You can use a chart, an app, or just write it down. The goal is to hit your water target daily.
At the end of the week, see who stayed the most on track. Great for health and focus!
Daily Meditation Streaks – Log your mindfulness minutes.
Take a few minutes each day to breathe and relax.
Use a meditation app or just sit quietly. Track how many days in a row you practice mindfulness. The person with the longest streak wins!
Even just 5 minutes can help you feel calm and focused. It’s a peaceful little competition.
Office Yoga Face-Off – Who can hold tree pose the longest?
Ready to stretch it out? This contest is all about balance.
Everyone tries to hold a yoga pose—like Tree Pose—for as long as they can.
No wobbling! You can do it in person or over a video call. The last person standing wins.
It’s fun, funny, and a great break from sitting all day.
Healthy Recipe Throwdown – Share, vote, and taste-test (if local).
Bring on the flavor—without the junk!
Everyone shares their favorite healthy recipe. If you’re in the same office, do a little taste test. If you’re remote, share pics or videos of your dish.
Then vote for the yummiest, healthiest, or most creative one. Great for foodies, cooks, and anyone who loves a good snack.
Art Battle – Sketch, paint, or digital—time to show off your inner Picasso.
Time to show off your creative side!
Grab some paper, paints, or a digital app and make your best artwork. It can be a drawing, a sketch, or even something silly.
Set a theme or just let people go wild. Then share the art and vote for your favorite.
No need to be a pro – just have fun making something cool!
Design a Company Mascot – The sillier, the better.
What would your company’s mascot look like? A dancing stapler? A talking coffee cup?
In this contest, everyone draws or describes a silly mascot that fits their team or job. The weirder, the better!
Share your ideas and vote for the one that makes people laugh the most. You might even print it out and hang it up!
Haiku or Limerick Challenge – Themed poems about work or coffee.
Write a short and funny poem about work, coffee, meetings, or anything office-related.
You can write a haiku (5-7-5 syllables) or a limerick (a 5-line poem with a bouncy rhyme). Keep it light, silly, or clever.
Then read them out loud or post them for everyone to enjoy. Vote for the best rhyme!
Logo Redesign Contest – Not for actual use, just for fun!
If your company had a totally new logo, what would it look like?
In this just-for-fun challenge, employees design their own version of the company logo.
It can be serious, silly, or totally wild. Use drawing tools or paper and pens.
Then share your designs and vote for the most creative one. No pressure—just fun!
Office Playlist Contest – Submit your mix and have the office vote on the best vibe.
Got music taste? Build a short playlist (maybe 5–10 songs) that fits a mood, like “Focus Time” or “Friday Vibes.”
Share your playlist with the team, then everyone listens and votes on their favorite. The winner gets the title of “Office DJ”!
You could even rotate playlists weekly based on the winner.
Tech and Remote-Friendly Challenges
Working from home? No problem!
These challenges are made for remote teams and tech lovers. You can race to finish a puzzle, code something cool, or solve digital riddles.
Most of them need just a laptop and a little creativity. Great for keeping teams connected—even from far away.
Bug Hunt Race – Who can find the most bugs in a set time?
In this game, everyone searches for bugs in a piece of code or software.
Set a time limit, like one hour or one day. The person who finds the most real bugs wins!
It’s like a digital treasure hunt. Great for developers and testers – and a cool way to improve your product too!
Code Golf – Shortest code to solve a problem wins.
This is a fun challenge for coders.
The goal? Solve a problem using the shortest code possible. Fewer lines, fewer characters – like golf, lower is better!
It’s a smart way to think outside the box and sharpen your skills. Share your tiny-but-mighty code and see who wins!
Hackathon Sprint – 1-day build challenge.
In this one-day event, teams race to build something cool from scratch. It could be an app, a tool, or even a tiny game.
Everyone works fast and shows off what they made at the end. The most creative, useful, or fun project wins!
Great for teamwork and big ideas.
IT Escape Room – Tech puzzles and virtual lockouts.
Turn puzzles into a tech adventure!
Teams must solve computer-based problems to “escape” a locked system. Think password riddles, fake error messages, or network clues.
Do it virtually or in person. The team that solves it the fastest wins.
A great brain workout for IT folks and puzzle lovers!
Build-a-Bot Competition – Think Slack bots or task automations.
Can you make a bot that saves time at work?
Build a simple Slack bot, task automation, or tool that does something helpful (or funny). You don’t have to be a coder – use no-code tools if you want!
Share your bot with the team. Then vote for the most clever, useful, or fun idea.
Virtual Scavenger Hunt – “Find something blue, something that makes you smile…”
Get ready to run around your home (or office)!
Make a list like: “Find something blue,” “Find something soft,” or “Find something that makes you smile.”
Everyone races to find the items and show them on camera. The fastest (or funniest) wins!
It’s a great way to get moving and share laughs online.
Emoji Translation Game – Guess the phrase or movie based on emoji strings.
Can you read emojis like a secret code?
In this game, someone sends a group of emojis that hint at a phrase, movie, or song. Example: 🦁👑 = The Lion King.
Everyone takes turns guessing what it means. The person with the most correct answers wins!
It’s easy to play and full of giggles.
Online Pictionary – Easy with tools like Skribbl.io.
Draw fast, guess fast! Use a site like Skribbl.io to play virtual Pictionary.
One person draws something, and others try to guess what it is. The faster you guess, the more points you get.
You don’t have to be good at drawing – it’s funnier if you’re not!
Digital Puzzle Race – Who can complete it the fastest?
Pick an online jigsaw puzzle and challenge your team to complete it as fast as they can. You can play solo or in small groups.
Use sites like Jigsaw Explorer or Puzzle Party. The first one to finish their puzzle wins!
Great for focus and a little friendly racing.
Remote Bingo – Use phrases like “You’re on mute!” or “Can you see my screen?”
Make a Bingo card with classic video call moments like: “You’re on mute,” “Dog barking,” or “Frozen screen.”
As you go through your day or week, mark off each one you see. First to get a full row or card wins!
It’s a fun way to laugh at the little things we all deal with on calls.
Team-Based and Career Growth Battles
These contests help you grow with your team.
You might switch roles, try mentoring, or even run a mini book club. It’s not about winning big – it’s about learning, sharing, and growing together.
They build trust, teach new things, and bring teams closer than ever.
Team Cooking Challenge – Think “Chopped” with a twist.
Turn your kitchen into a game show!
Teams cook using a few surprise ingredients – just like Chopped! You can pick a theme like “3 colors” or “no oven.”
Then, share pictures or videos of the final dish. Judges (or coworkers) vote on the most creative, tasty-looking meal.
Great for food lovers and team fun!
Office Olympics – Relay games, trivia, and more across multiple days.
Host your own Olympics with a twist!
Set up silly events like paper toss, trivia, or chair races. Spread the games over a few days so everyone can join. Keep a scoreboard and crown the winning team at the end.
It’s teamwork, laughter, and a little friendly competition all rolled into one!
Team Karaoke Contest – Bonus points for choreography.
Time to hit the high notes (or at least try)!
Teams or individuals sing their favorite songs—bonus points if there’s dancing, costumes, or backup singers.
Do it live or record short videos. The best (or funniest!) performance wins.
No singing skills needed – just bring the energy and have fun!
Collaborative Art Project – Each person adds something to a group mural or digital canvas.
Create something amazing together!
Start a big drawing, poster, or digital mural. Each person adds a piece – maybe a doodle, a shape, or even a quote. In the end, you’ve made one big piece of team art.
It’s great for building connections and seeing everyone’s style come together.
Role-Switch Day – Teams swap jobs (safely) for a few hours.
Ever wonder what your coworker’s job is like?
For this fun twist, team members switch roles for a few hours (safely, of course).
Maybe marketing tries sales, or IT joins support. It’s a cool way to learn what others do and build respect across teams.
Bonus: it usually leads to some great stories!
LinkedIn Makeover Contest – Who has the best professional glow-up?
Time to glow up your profile!
Everyone gives their LinkedIn a fresh look—new photo, better bio, or updated skills.
Share “before and after” screenshots (if you want), and vote on the most impressive makeover.
It’s fun and helps everyone look more professional online. Win-win!
Certify Me Challenge – Who can complete the most learning modules?
Who loves to learn?
In this challenge, employees complete online courses or certifications – anything from soft skills to tech tools. Track who finishes the most in a week or month.
The top learner wins a prize, and everyone walks away smarter. Great for growth and motivation!
Book Club Debate – Read & argue your take on a selected book.
Pick a book and read it as a team. Then hold a friendly debate!
Everyone shares what they liked, hated, or totally disagreed with.
Bonus points for bold opinions or spicy takes. It’s like a book club… but with a little competitive twist.
Helps build communication and critical thinking too!
Mentor-Mentee Challenges – Teams complete tasks together and share lessons.
Pair up mentors and mentees, then give them small tasks to do together, like giving a presentation, solving a problem, or sharing a career story.
They earn points for each challenge completed. At the end, they share what they learned.
It’s a great way to grow skills and relationships at the same time.
Skill Swap Contest – Teach a teammate something new and earn points.
Everyone has something they’re good at!
In this contest, employees teach each other new skills—like making a great spreadsheet, fixing a bug, or even folding origami.
Each time you teach or learn, you earn points. It’s fun, helpful, and a great way to discover hidden talents in your team.
Bonus Rounds: Quick & Random Fun
Two Truths and a Lie – Office classic.
This classic game never gets old!
Each person shares three “facts” about themselves—two are true, and one is a lie.
Everyone guesses which one is the lie. It’s a fun way to learn weird and funny things about your coworkers.
Great for icebreakers and team bonding!
Speed Typing Race – Who’s the fastest on the keys?
Who’s got the fastest fingers?
Use a typing test website and see who can type the most words per minute. You can race live or send in your scores. Bonus points for fewest mistakes!
The winner earns the title of “Keyboard Champ” for the day. Fast, fun, and super simple.
Pun-Off Battle – Worst (or best?) puns win.
Get ready for some groan-worthy giggles!
In this wordplay contest, team members take turns dropping their best (or worst) puns. Pick a theme—like food, work, or animals—and pun it up!
The crowd votes for the funniest punster. Warning: side effects may include eye rolls and laughter.
Company Swag Fashion Show – Rock the logo gear with flair.
Grab that company hoodie or branded hat – it’s time to strut your stuff!
Employees wear their best company gear and show it off in a mini runway walk (live or on video).
Bonus points for style, creativity, or over-the-top poses. It’s silly, fun, and a great way to boost team spirit.
Mystery Box Challenge – Give teams a random object and see what they do with it.
Give each team a random item – like a paperclip, sponge, or rubber chicken – and ask them to create something new or solve a problem with it.
They can pitch an idea, tell a story, or build something. It’s all about thinking outside the box… with a box!
Super fun for creativity and teamwork.
Tips to Run These Competitions Smoothly
Set clear rules – Keep it fair and transparent.
Use prizes wisely – Think gift cards, shout-outs, or extra time off.
Celebrate all participants – Not just winners. Recognition matters.
Mix it up – Don’t repeat the same format too often.
Keep it inclusive – Not everyone loves a spotlight—offer low-key options too.
Conclusion
Employee competitions don’t have to be hard or serious.
With a little creativity, they can be simple, fun, and a great way to bring your team closer together.
Whether it’s a silly dress-up day or a skill-building challenge, these employee competition ideas can turn any normal week into something special.
People laugh more, talk more, and enjoy their work a whole lot more. Try out a few and see what your team loves most.
You might be surprised how a small game can make a big difference. Happy competing – and don’t forget to have fun
Engage With Us
Tried one of these employee competition ideas at your workplace? We’d love to hear how it went!
Share your favorite challenges, funny moments, or new ideas with us in the comments.
Got a unique twist or a team tradition we didn’t include? Tell us about it!
